Developer’s plan for 82 homes criticised

A BID to build 82 homes in Sonning Common has been criticised by the group producing the village’s neighbourhood development plan.

Bewley Homes wants to develop Lea Meadow, a 10-acre site which runs south of the Herb farm in Peppard Road and towards Hagg Pitts House.

In a statement, the Sonning Common neighbourhood plan working party said the proposal was contrary to the plan and “an affront to the hundreds of residents who have contributed their time and resources to enable the plan to reach its present state of near-completion”.

It continued: “The plan is the proper means by which South Oxfordshire District Council has determined that site allocations here are to be made. This proposed development is in flagrant conflict with the plan and our residents’ wishes and if carried through would threaten similar high-density proposals being made throughout Sonning Common.”

Three previous applications made by Richard Scott, owner of the Herb Farm, were all withdrawn. The last proposal was for 55 homes.